RI PRESIDENT MAKES MEMBERSHIP A PRIORITY

Posted by Stephen R Broome 
on Nov 21, 2011
 

It’s every Rotarian’s responsibility to boost club membership and ensure the future of Rotary. No member takes this duty more seriously than RI President Kalyan Banerjee.

“The more members we have, the more Rotary can do,” Banerjee says. “Rotarians must refer new members. Our current annual growth is 5 percent, but if every two years each Rotarian brought in a new member, our membership would grow by 50 percent.”

Despite a busy schedule, Banerjee continues to find potential members during his travels as RI president. “Today you can recruit anybody, anywhere,” he says. “I might meet someone on a flight to Los Angeles or Bangkok who would make a good member, and if I do, I refer that person.”

Follow Banerjee’s example today by referring a family member, friend, or business associate. The online form has been updated, so it’s even easier now to refer a member.

See how the Presidential Citation, Changemaker Award can help your club set tangible membership goals

 

 

 

What is your club’s approach to recruiting and keeping members?

August, Membership and Extension Month, is an ideal time to discuss membership strategies for the year.

The Presidential Citation and Changemaker Award both include membership criteria and are excellent resources to help you set your goals.

Clubs aiming for the Presidential Citation this year must add at least one new member and keep at least 85 percent of their membership. Additional goals include recruiting RI and Rotary Foundation program alumni and young professionals, and increasing diversity by adding more female members. Districts must meet similar goals. Review the full criteria for the Presidential Citation.

The Changemaker Award, established by RI President Kalyan Banerjee, also puts membership in the spotlight. Clubs must achieve a specific set of club service goals, including adding one new member under the age of 40 for each 50 members, implementing a comprehensive strategy for keeping members, and demonstrating that they have retained 85 percent of their members for the three Rotary years ending with 2011-12. Review the full criteria for the Changemaker Award.

Both recognitions also include criteria for supporting Foundation programs, crucial to Rotary’s continued global success.

Past RI Vice President Monty J. Audenart, chair of the RI Membership Development and Retention Committee, encourages all clubs to focus on their membership goals as they take a fresh look at strengthening Rotary.

“When building strong clubs, attracting new members and retaining existing ones are given first priority. Then, the rest of our service activities and programs will take care of themselves,” says Audenart.

For more help on setting and reaching your goals